The holiday season is a magical time, filled with warmth, joy, and, of course, delicious treats! While traditional cookies and festive drinks are always a hit, why not combine them into one adorable, edible masterpiece? Enter Sugar Cookie Sleigh Shots – the ultimate innovation for your holiday party spread that's as delightful to look at as it is to devour!
What Are Sugar Cookie Sleigh Shots?
Imagine your favorite classic sugar cookie, baked into a perfectly sized, sturdy cup, ready to hold a splash of milk, a shot of eggnog, or even a mini dessert. That's exactly what Sugar Cookie Sleigh Shots are! These ingenious edible vessels are a whimsical twist on holiday baking, designed to bring a smile to every face. They’re essentially cookie shot glasses, often lined with a layer of chocolate to make them watertight and add an extra layer of flavor.
Why You'll Love This Festive Recipe
Beyond their undeniable charm, Sugar Cookie Sleigh Shots offer a unique experience that will make your holiday gatherings unforgettable:
- Utterly Adorable: They are a conversation starter and a visual feast, perfect for Instagrammable moments.
- Deliciously Edible: No more washing up tiny shot glasses – just eat the evidence!
- Customizable Fun: Fill them with anything from milk for the kids to liqueurs for the adults.
- Holiday Spirit Embodied: They scream festive cheer and holiday magic.
- Easy to Make: While they look impressive, the process is straightforward, using familiar classic sugar cookie recipe techniques.
Ingredients for Your Edible Sleighs
The beauty of these sleigh shots lies in their simplicity. You'll need standard sugar cookie ingredients, plus a little something extra for the 'shot' part.
For the Sugar Cookie Dough:
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Unsalted butter
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Baking powder
- Salt
For Lining and Decorating:
- White chocolate chips or candy melts (for lining)
- Sprinkles or edible glitter (optional, for decorating)
- Food coloring (optional, for colored chocolate)
How to Make Sugar Cookie Sleigh Shots: Step-by-Step Guide
Creating these edible marvels is a fun process that can even become a family activity. Follow the recipe card below for precise measurements and instructions.
Essential Equipment:
- Mini muffin pan or specific cookie shot molds
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters (optional, for decorations)
Creative Fillings for Your Sleigh Shots
Once your beautiful cookie cups are ready, the fun truly begins with the fillings! Here are some ideas:
- Kid-Friendly: Chocolate milk, plain milk, hot cocoa (cooled slightly), fruit juice.
- Adult Indulgences: Eggnog (spiked or unspiked), Kahlúa and milk, Irish cream, peppermint schnapps and chocolate milk.
- Dessert Shots: Mini scoops of ice cream, chocolate mousse, pudding, or a berry compote.
Tips for Perfect Cookie Cups
- Chilling is Key: Don't skip chilling the dough; it prevents spreading and helps maintain the shape of your cups.
- Even Thickness: Roll your dough to an even thickness for uniform baking.
- Don't Overbake: Sugar cookies can become tough if overbaked. Watch for light golden edges.
- Cool Completely: Ensure the cookie cups are entirely cool before handling or lining with chocolate.
- Chocolate Lining: This is crucial! It provides a delicious waterproof barrier. Melt your chocolate slowly and temper it if you want a really shiny, snap-able shell.
- Decorate with Flair: Once lined, get creative with sprinkles, edible glitter, or even a small amount of royal icing for festive designs.
These Sugar Cookie Sleigh Shots are more than just a dessert; they’re an experience. They embody the spirit of the holidays in every edible bite and sip. So gather your ingredients, put on some festive tunes, and get ready to bake up some holiday magic!
FAQs
What are Sugar Cookie Sleigh Shots?
Sugar Cookie Sleigh Shots are edible cookie cups made from classic sugar cookie dough, often lined with chocolate, designed to hold small servings of milk, liqueurs, or desserts. They are a whimsical and delicious way to enjoy holiday treats!
Can I make Sugar Cookie Sleigh Shots ahead of time?
Yes, you can absolutely make Sugar Cookie Sleigh Shots in advance! Once baked and cooled, store the un-lined cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for up to a month. Line them with chocolate just before serving for the best results.
What can I fill my Sugar Cookie Sleigh Shots with?
The possibilities are endless! Popular fillings include milk, chocolate milk, eggnog, coffee, hot cocoa, or a festive liqueur for adult gatherings. For a dessert twist, try pudding, mousse, or even a shot of melted ice cream. Just make sure the cookie cups are lined with chocolate to prevent sogginess.
How do I prevent my cookie shots from getting soggy?
The key to preventing soggy cookie shots is to create a barrier with melted chocolate or candy melts. Once your cookie cups are fully cooled, brush or spoon a layer of melted chocolate inside and let it set completely before adding any liquid fillings. This creates a waterproof seal.
Sugar Cookie Sleigh Shots
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including chilling and cooling)
- Yield: 12 shots 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
An enchanting and delicious edible cookie cup recipe, perfect for serving festive drinks or desserts during the holidays, complete with a chocolate lining.
Ingredients
1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup (170g) white chocolate chips or candy melts
Instructions
Step 1: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 2: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined and a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
Step 4: Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 days).
Step 5: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a mini muffin pan or cookie shot mold.
Step 6: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Using a round cookie cutter slightly larger than your muffin pan cups (or according to your mold instructions), cut out circles.
Step 7: Gently press each dough circle into the prepared muffin pan cup, forming a cookie cup shape. Trim any excess dough from the tops.
Step 8: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The center may still look slightly soft but will firm up as it cools.
Step 9: Remove from the oven and, while still warm, use the back of a spoon or a small, rounded object to gently reshape the indentation if needed. Let cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before carefully removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 10: Once the cookie cups are completely cool, melt the white chocolate chips or candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Alternatively, use a double boiler.
Step 11: Spoon about 1-2 teaspoons of melted chocolate into each cooled cookie cup. Using the back of the spoon, spread the chocolate to coat the inside walls and bottom of the cup, creating an even layer. Invert the cups briefly to remove any excess chocolate.
Step 12: Place the lined cookie cups on parchment paper and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes, or until the chocolate is fully set. Fill and serve immediately with your favorite festive beverages or desserts!
Notes
For extra festive flair, add a few drops of food coloring to the melted white chocolate before lining the cups. You can also dip the rims of the cooled cookie cups in melted chocolate and then in sprinkles before the chocolate sets for a decorative touch. Store un-filled and un-lined cookie cups in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Holiday Treat
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie shot
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
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